Sunsara Taylor
- Located in New York City
- writes for Revolution Newspaper
- draws from, and tours campuses nationwide promoting, Bob Avakian's book, AWAY WITH ALL GODS! Unchaining the Mind and Radically Changing the World
- co-hosts WBAI's Equal Time for Freethought
- is a leading voice in the struggle for the full liberation of women
- is on the Advisory Board of World Can't Wait
- is a substantive, quick-witted and engaging speaker and debater, earning herself the distinction of being called a “loon” by Bill O'Reilly and a “very wicked woman” by Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson
Sunsara Taylor is a passionate, articulate revolutionary and unapologetic atheist. Sunsara has been on the frontlines against Christian fascists, has spoken to thousands at anti-war rallies, has repeatedly stood her ground against Bill O'Reillly and has spoken widely on women's liberation, atheism, science, critical thinking and morality without gods. All of Sunsara’s energy is directed toward fighting for the emancipation of humanity, for a world without slavery or slavish ideas of any kind. She takes as her foundation – and is a bold popularizer of – the new synthesis on revolution and communism developed by Bob Avakian.
As part of her national efforts to popularize Bob Avakian’s book, AWAY WITH ALL GODS! Unchaining the Mind and Radically Changing the World, Taylor debated a radical Black pastor in front of a packed audience in Harlem, dialogued with the head of the Center for the Study of Religion at UCLA, spoke in inner city high schools where students had been denied education about evolution as well as atheism, drew hundreds of students at campuses across the country, and spent time after every event listening and talking with anyone who sincerely wanted to debate or understand more.
Topics that Sunsara is excited to speak on:
A World Without Gods and the Emancipation of Humanity
It is both possible and desirable to bring into being a world without any belief in gods. But bringing this world into being will not only require the broad popularization of the scientific method and atheism (most people on the planet are currently denied access to both), it will also require radically transforming the world to get rid of the tremendous and unnecessary suffering that causes so many to seek the (ultimately false) solace of religion. In this talk, Taylor will discuss the inter-related struggles to “unchain the mind” and “radically change the world” and how truly accomplishing either on a world-wide scale requires fighting for both.
Religion, Patriarchy, Male Supremacy and Sexual Repression
The Christian Bible blames women (“Eve”) for the “fall of mankind” and everything bad ever since. A Jewish prayer recited by men thanks god “for not being born female.” The Q'uran insists that a man's word is worth that of two women. Why is the subordination of women at the core of all the world's major religions? What damage has this done to women – and to humanity as a whole – for thousands of years? And, how are these same scriptures at the core of an all-out war against women today – from the assault on the right to birth control and abortion to the rise of honor killings and forced veiling throughout the world? Taylor will answer these questions and lay out what can be done about this.
Can We “Be Good” Without God? Yes! We Not Only Can – But We Must – Because God Does Not Exist
It is broadly claimed that religion is the basis for human morality. In reality, great crimes are not only rationalized, but commanded, by every major religion. Further, this notion ignores the fact that, in a world marked by profound divisions and social antagonisms, there are often very different understandings of what it means to “be good.” For instance, what was “good” for the slave-masters was profoundly different than what was deemed “good” by the slaves. Similarly, what is “good” for the capitalist class today and what is “good” for the millions of children and others exploited in sweatshops worldwide is profoundly different. How, without religious superstition, do we evaluate what is “good”? And what should compel us to “be good”? Taylor will discuss the importance of first having a scientific approach to understanding the world. On that foundation, she will argue, there is the basis to make moral judgments on how to act in ways that contribute to, are in line with, and provide meaning and morality in the context of the betterment of conditions for humanity as a whole.
Taylor is also available for debates and dialogues – Taylor has debated leaders from the National Right to Life Committee (anti-abortion), the Nation of Islam, and many religious talk show hosts. She has also dialogued (exploring shared social concerns as well as differences over religious beliefs) with figures such as Chris Hedges (author of I Don't Believe in Atheists), PZ Myers (http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/), Massimo Pigluicci (http://rationallyspeaking.blogspot.com/), Michael R. Williams (Director of Black Studies at Cleveland State University), and many others. She is very interested in being part of panels, dialogues, and debates.
Or, suggest another topic! Taylor is open to speaking on a range of topics beyond those laid out above. If you would like to host her, she will work out, with you, the best title and event for your campus and your goals.
Sunsara asks for a $300 to $500 honorarium but is very willing to be negotiable for all affiliated student groups who would wish to host her at their campus.
If you're interested in having this speaker come to your school and give a presentation, click here to fill out our online Speaker Request form.
